James a



l. A. GRAY. CAN END SORTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED NOV. n. ms.

1,308,063. Patented July 1, 1919.

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2 t 30 waiim f "18 vol UMBIA PLANOGRAPII c0. WASHINUTDN, n c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. GRAY, or SAN FRANCISCO, .CALIFORNIA, nss e qon TO AMERICAN CAN COMPANY, or SAN FRANCISUO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION or ew JERSEY.

CAN-ENDSGERTING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 1. 1919.

Application file November 11, 19145- Scria N0. 60,963-

To all whom it may concern Be it known, that 1, JAMES A. GRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gan-End-Sorting Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an appa ratus vtor sorting can ends and distributing the same according to Whether or not ring liners have previously been applied thereto.

In the canning of food products and other materials in the schcalled sanitary cans, it sometimes happens that for one reason or another, a can end is applied to a can ithout a ring liner being interposed therehetween, which results in an imperfect seam and a leaky can. It is necessary, therefore, to inspecteaeh end, to insinre the presence Oil a ring liner in the flange thereof, before the same is applied to a can; and since the processof applying ends to cans is carried on very rapidly, this inspection, it sui'liciently rigid to insure accuracy, necessarily involves considerable expense.

The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an apparatus, automatic or otherwise capable of distinguishing between lined and non-lined can .ends, and sorting out the latter so that they will not be carried along With the properly li-ned ends and applied to cans. lit may be applied to any convenient point between the process of lining the ends, and that of :applying said ends to cans, inrespective of whether these operations are carnied on ounsecutively or not, and may or may not be incorporated inthe machines for penforming these operations, as convenience or practice bility may direct.

In order to comprehend the invention, reference should be had ito thencooinpnnyiing drawings, in whioh- Figure 1 is a plan View of the sorting apparatus, showing lined can ends being conveyed therethrough.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a eeotionalelevation ofithe mechanism for removing the non-lined ends from the conveyor, showing a lined end passing thenethrough.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a non-lined end being removed from the rouveyer.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 represents a suitably eonstrurted bed or table. sup ported in any ronyenient nniuner, as by posts 2 and 3. Arranged transversely beneath this table, one near each end thereof, are two parallel horizontal shafts 4 and .5, journaled in suitable depending brackets (l and 7, and having fixed thereon the sprocket wheels 8 and 9 respectively. Said sprockets pro ject upwardly through centrally disposed slots 10 and 11 in the table 1, and carry an endless conveyor chain 12, provided with spaced outwardly extending lugs 13, the upper run of said chain traveling above the table 1. Power tondriving the ronveyer chain is applied to a belt pulley 11 carried by and fixed upon the shaft 4,

Tracks or r inways 15 are mounted upon the table 1 parallel to and on either side of the conveyor chain 12, upon which can ends 16 are adapted to slide. Suitable guide rails 17 are Jrovided on either side of the tracks 15, to hold the can ends L6 upon said tracks 15 While said ends are being moved along the table by the engagement therewith of the lugs 13 on the conveyei chain 12.

Superimposed a small distance above the table 1, at the discharge end thereof, is a plate 18, carrying a runway 19 dior the discharge of unlined (an endannd formed with a slot 20 through which the lugs 13 of the conveyor chain 12 may project. 1111mmately forward of this plate 18 are mounted a pair of vertically swinging selector arms 21, above and parallel to the can tracks 15. Said selector arms 21 are carried by short transverse rock-Shafts 22, mounted in suitable bearing supports 23, and carrying at their outer endsthe levers 4. said levers being connected together, beneath the table 1, by a counter-Weight bar 25.

The selector arms 21 are normally held .in a raised or ihorizontal position, as shown in Figs. 2 andfi of th drawings, by means of a latch 26, which engages a lever 27 carried by one of the roclcshafts 22. In. this osition of the selector arms 21, the can on s 16, being moved along the tracks 15 by the conveyer chain '12, pass under said arms 21 and under the upper plate 13, and so out of the sphere of the machine to Whatever disposition may be provided for them.

The latch 26 is pivotally supported by a bracket 23, and is normally held in position to engage the lever 27 by a spring '29. An eh-ctro-magnet 30 is mounted upon the un der side of the table 1 in such a position that when said magnet is energized, it attracts the latch 26 and draws the same out of engage ment with the lever 27, as shown in Fig. L of the drawings. This allowsthe selector arms 21 to drop so that their free ends 2i rest in recesses 31 in the can trachs 15, Fig. l of the drawings. \Vhen said arms are in this position, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, a can end 16, advanced along the tracks 15 by the convcycr chain 19, is carricd up over the selector arms '31 and into the runway 19 of the plate 18, whence it is removed to any suitable place of deposit.

Mounted above the table 1 forward of the selector arms 21 is a transverse rorloshaft 32, Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, carrying a pair of contact fingers 33, insulated from the frame of the machine, and connected by means of a wire 34 to a suitable source of electric energy indicated at 35, Fig. 2 of the drawings. The contact lingers 33 are not mounted rigidly upon the rock-shaft 32, but are moved therewith by flexible spring rounections 3G. Said contact fingers 33 are so positioned, that when the shaft is rocked by means of an eccentric 37 upon the drive shaft 4, the eccentric strap 38 being connected by a rod 39 to a lever 40 on said rockshaft 32, said contact fingers 33 are lowered into contact with the flange of each can end 16 passing therebeneath. Said can ends, being metal, are in electrical contact with the frame of the machine, said frame being connected through the electro-magnet 30, by a wire -11 to the other side of the source of electrical energy 35.

As each succeeding can end passes beneath the contact fingers 33, said fingers are dc pressed onto the flange thereof. If the can end be properly lined, no electrical contact will be made between said end and the fingers 33, because the fibrous liners are made of electrically non-conducting material; the magnet 30 is therefore not energized, the selector arms 21 remain held up by the latch 26, and the lined can end 16 passes out of the machine on the tracks 15, as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. If, however, an unlined can end he brought under the contactfingers 33, upon the downward movement of said fingers, the electric circuit is closed through the wire 34, the fingers 33, the unlined can end 16, the frame of the n'ulchiuc, the wires 41 and the magnet 30; said mag net attracts the latch 20; the selector arms 21 are allowed to fall, and the unlined can end rides up over said selector ari'ns onto the plate 18, and is guided by the runway 15) to a suitable place of deposit separate from that provided for the lined can ends.

The selector arms21are reset to their horizontal position, immediately after the pas sage of a can end thereover, by the engagement of an adjustable screw 4:2 in a projecting lug 43, carried by the eccentric rod 39, with one of the levers 24. Thus at every forward movement of said rod 39, which 01 curs once for every can end passing through the machine, the selector arms 21 are raised to horizontal position, and remain so until an unlined can end passes under the contact ti ngers 33.

I have herein described my invention in the form which is domed preferable. I am aware, however, that changes may be made in the form and construction of the detailed working parts of the device Without in any way affecting the principles of the invention, and I therefore do not wish to be construed as limiting myself in this regard, but on the contrary, wish to claim the invention as broadly as the state of the art will permit.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Let ters Patent is 1. In a can end sorting apparatus, in com bination: carrying means for successively transporting can ends to a. normal place of deposit; a movable device for separating certain of said can ends from said carrying means to be removed to a separate place of deposit; means for actuating said movable device; and means comprising a movable finger and mechanism for moving it toward and from the surfaces of the can ends whereby certain can ends cause the automatic separating action of'said actuating means.

2. In a can end sorting apparatus, in combination: carrying means for successively transporting can ends to a normal place of deposit; a. movable device for lifting certain of said can ends from said carrying means to be removed to a separate place of deposit; electrical means for actuating said movable device; and means comprising an electric circuit adapted to temporarily include the metal of a can end whereby certain can ends automatically cause the operation of said electrical means.

3. In a can end sorting apparatus, in combination; a track on which can ends engage and are adapted to be successively moved to a normal place of deposit; means for causing such can ends to be carried along said track;

movaltle amine mounted shove said tnanle' andi adwp'iled to been'galgred below certain ofi the UZLH ends toremove them to {mother piece of deposit;- means fonzmtunting said: arms; and means whereby certain mm ends zmtomatioallily cause the operation of said netn eting' means 4*. 1 11 a cam and so-i ting apparatus;- in C6111 binutionu w tirault on which amt ends engage and are adopted to besuccessive-1 y moved to' a nonmnllplnceofi deposit; meansforeansing such: can ends to-be carried: alongsaixt trnrle movable amine mounted above" said" trunk and adopted to lie engaged belhw' centain? at the canends'to remove them toanothen place'ofi deposit; eleetricallmeazns for autmttingsaid arms; and means whereby the'oen 81168170 lie so engaged cause the automatic operation of said electrical means.

5. In a, can end sortingapparatus, imcombinati'onz means for successively carryingand depositing the" cam ends to: be sort-och; normally inoperative means for removing certain cam ends from said ca'rryii'ig means: a contact deviread'npied t o' enter'witliin all of the can endsto engage-the liner therein; means whereby said content dkWiCe' renders operative the said removing means in" the absence of the Sftld' liner; and means for notuefiingtihe' said contact device.

6; A can: end sorting apperstnseompxis ing 2v eonweyer having; atrack for the passage thereover of ownends'to' be sorted; a pair of swinging selector arms for lifting unlined can ends from said track, devices nornmlly hol'dingseid" arms in inoperative position, eleErUriea-lly controlled means for releasing said arms to" allow the same to" fall into operative position, and devices wlieieby n can end which has noliner may be caused to' operate said electrically oon trolled means.

7. A can' end sorting apparatus compris ing' a convenenhaving' a track for the parssage theneover'of" can ends to be sorted; a pairof' swingingseleovon arms for removing unlined can an s from said thank devices normally holding said arms in inoperative position, electrically controlled means for releasing saidlarms'tom-llow thesametb en into openative position, means including a contact; deviceedn ted toenter Within :11 l of the can ends for'rttising saidamns'to inop emtivo position, and devices operated by a) can end which hasno linerforcausing the operation oi said electrically controlled means.

8. A can endsorting apparatus c0mpnis ing a eonveyerhevin I a; trackfor the pee sage thereover of line can ends-130 a plaeegof deposit, a; superposed track for conveying unlined can endst0- a separateplane of (le posit; and electrically controlledmeans fon' delivening'ctm ende to either track in ecoord an-cowiflm whether said: ends are lined 01' um lined;

9! A cum end sm ting apparatus eom ris ing' a emweyer lnwing a; track tor the pansage thereover of lined own end-sto' a place of deposit, a superposed traelt for oon veyingunlined cam ends toa separate pieceof deposit, a; pain oi ewingingr selector sinister tinnsfevni'ng unlined eaii ends f rom said first track to said second tflaclt electrically operated devices for controlling t'he movementsof said SGleGUOR arms, and means Wheneby unlined o'an ends aanse'theopemwion at said devines':

L03 A: can: end: sorting'appm 'atus comprising' a conveyor having a, track ten the passage thereoverof can ends to a, place of do posit w supehposed track for conveying unlined (fawends ton separate piece of deposit, a pair of swinging'seleetor arms for transferring unlined can ends from said first track to said second track, means operated by the conveyor mechanism for raisin said 317115170 inopevativeposition, and electrically operated devioes the circuit of which is affooled by unlined can ends for releasing said arms to-allowth'e same to fall into operative position.

1 1.. A ean end sorting apparatus comprising aconveyor having a track for the pots sag-e themover of linedcanendsflo a plilceof deposit, a superposed tnaelt for conveying unlined can ends to a sepnrat'epla'ce of deposit, a pair of swinging selector arms for transferring unlined can ends from said' first mentioned track to said second track, means operated by the conveyer mechanism ton raising said arms to inoperative position, an electro-megnet for releasing said armsto allowthesemeto fell into operative position and means i for energizing sai d magnet comprising a source of electric energy, a confiaet'flng'erfor establishing electrical oontact with nnlined can ends, means for actuating said cont'aofi finger and electrical (30W- dnotors for completing the circuit;

12. A can end sorting apparatus'comprising a; eom eyonhavin a track for the passageithereover of line can ends toa place of deposit; a superposed track for conve ing' unlined eain endsto a separate place 0 deposit, a, pain 0t swingingselector arms for transferring unlined can ends fronrsaid first mentioned" track to said second track, means operated by the conveyor mechanism for revising said arms to inoperative position, and an dentin-magnet for releasin said urinate-allow the sameto fail into operative position;. andmeans for energizing said magnetg the energizingoi saiid magnet depending uponthe absence of liners in the eanends 13;- A can end so-iting appamtns comprisin g artflalok for thepassnge-thereoverof' lined camends to a place-of deposit, a superposed track for carrying unlined can ends to a separate plac of deposit, a selector mechanism for transferrin unlined can ends from said first mentione track to said second track, means for operating the selector mechanism, the operation of said selector mechanism depending upon the presence or absence of liners in the can ends, and means for moving said can ends along said tracks.

14. In a can end sorting apparatus, in combination: carrying means for successively transporting can ends to a normal place of deposit; a movable device for lifting certain of said can ends from said carrying means to be removed to a separate place of deposit; and a contact device adapted to enter within all of the can ends and having means for actuating said movable device.

15. In a can end sorting apparatus, in combination: carrying means for successively transporting can ends to a normal place of deposit; a movable device for lifting certain of said can ends from said carrying means to be removed to a separate place of deposit; and a contact device adapted to enter within all of the can ends and having electrical means for actuating said movable device.

16. In a can end sorting apparatus, in combination: a track on which can ends are adapted to be successively moved to a normal place of deposit; means for causing such can ends to be carried along said track; movable arms mounted above said track and adapted to be engaged below certain of the can ends to remove them to another place of deposit; and a contact device adapted to enter within all of the can ends and having means for actuating said arms.

17. In a can end sorting apparatus, in combination: a track on which can ends are adapted to be successively moved to a nor mal place of deposit; means for causing such can ends to be carried along said track; movable arms mounted above said track and adapted to be engaged below certain of the can ends to remove themto another place of deposit; and a contact device adapted to enter within all of the can ends and having electrical means for actuating said arms.

18. In a can end selecting machine, incombination: a can end carrier having means for removably holding can ends thereon; normally inoperative means for removing can ends from said carrier; means for making contact with the lined portion of each can end; and devices whereby such contact with an unlined can end causes said can end removing means to be operative.

19. In a can end selecting machine, in combination: an endless belt carrier having means for holding can ends thereon at regular intervals; a ivoted contact device to engage within eac can end; an electric circuit which is completed by said contact device and an unlined can end; a magnet which is energized by said circuit; and can end removing means which are actuated by said magnet.

20. An apparatus for separating unlined from lined can ends, the same comprising carrier means for the ends to be sorted, mechanism associated therewith for controlling the discharge of the ends in accordance with whether they are lined or unlined, a contact device adapted to enter within each can end and engage either the liner thereof or the metal thereof, and means whereby such metal contact causes the action of said controlling mechanism and the discharge of unlined can ends.

21. An apparatus for the described purpose having, in combination: a carrier for the can ends to be sorted, electrically controlled means associated therewith for varying the discharge of the ends in accordance with whether they are lined or unlined, a contact device adapted to enter within each can end and engage either the liner thereof or the metal thereof, and means whereby such metal contact causes the action of said electrically controlled means and the discharge of unlined can ends.

22. In a can end sorting apparatus, in combination: a track for the passage there over of can ends, an endless belt conveyor having means for engaging can ends in fixed successive relation and propelling the same on said track; a contact device adapted to enter within each can end and engage the liner thereof or the metal thereof; a super posed can end collecting means for such ends which are unlined; normally inoperative means for removing unlined can ends from the track to said collecting means; electrical means for normally maintaining said can end removing means in inoperative position, said electrical means being controlled by the action of the contact device to cause the release of said can end removing means; and a device whereby the carrier belt mechanism restores the can end removing means to inoperative position.

23. In a can end sorting apparatus, in combination: can end carrying mechanism; means for removing can ends therefrom adapted to have an operative position and an inoperative position; means connected with the carrier mechanism for causing said removing means to move from operative to inoperative position; and means controlled by the can ends to be removed whereby said removing means may be caused to move to operative position.

24. In a can end sorting apparatus, in combination; can end carrying mechanism; means for removing can ends therefrom adapted to have an operative position and and inoperative position; means connected In testimony whereof I have signed my with the earner mechanism for causing said name to this specification 111 the presence of removing means to move from operatlve to two subscrlblng witnesses.

inoperatlve position; and means comprising JAMES A. GRAY. a contact device adapted to enter Within each Witnesses:

can end whereby said removing means may V. D. Fos'mn,

be caused to move to operative position. D. F. MENNIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

